Veteran defender Ferdinand wants to stay at Manchester United

Sky Sports

Rio Ferdinand wants to be part of Manchester United's plans next year regardless of who is in charge.

Ferdinand is out of contract at the end of the season and he has been tipped to leave the club.

The 35-year-old has only started 10 Barclays Premier League games this season, but he wants to remain at Old Trafford to be part of the rebuilding process that began with David Moyes' dismissal.

"I'm going to continue playing," said Ferdinand, who moved to Old Trafford from Leeds 12 years ago.

"Whether it's here, I don't know. But I hope so."

Ferdinand has looked an assured presence when called upon at times this year, but his age and recent injury record count against him.

Never during Ferdinand's time at United had he experienced a season as bad as this one.

United were prompted to sack Moyes on Tuesday after he lost 11 league matches, leaving the club in seventh place without any hope of Champions League qualification, and Ferdinand admits he and his team-mates have been embarrassed by the club's form this season.

"I've not looked at the league table for ages because you don't want to," the centre-back said.

"It's embarrassing. You don't want to look at the league table and see where we are."

Many fans blamed Moyes for United's failings this year, but Ferdinand says the players are just as culpable.